American Perspectives: More than a Friend ("Love And Redemption" Ep. 6)

 

"Love and Redemption" can be viewed on Viki or Youtube.  Dialogue adapted from English translations by "Destined Love Team at Viki.com"

 

While waiting for the opportunity to get Xuanji out of Sifeng's dorm room, they two end up falling asleep in Sifeng's bed.  Unfortunately, Sifeng is not alone, and his sect has strict rules about interacting with women.  He has several roommates from Lize Palace whom they need to sneak past.

Xuanji inadvertantly wakes up Sifeng by using his arm as a pillow.  She then rolls over and snuggles up to him in her sleep.  Since he's a 16 year old boy full of hormones, he's taking great pains to keep himself together.  He's trying to figure out how to wake her up without waking the entire room.  The harder he tries to remove her from him, the closer she snuggles.

No, I can't let this dummy continue to sleep here, he thinks.  Deputy Chief and Lize Palace Master would shit bricks!

He very quietly picks her up, carefully slides open the doors, and carries her back to her room.  As he lays her down on her bed, she won't let him go.  She's still very much asleep. 

"Don't go, don't leave me behind," she says in her sleep.

He smiles at her, and wants to spend a few minutes more, but due to rules and regulations, he ha to let her go.  He puts her blanket over her, and then reluctantly goes back to his dorm.

 

The tournament has begun for the day, and it's Wu Tong the perpetual 12 year old vs. the elegant Sifeng.

"Sifeng!" cheers Xuanji and Linglong.  "All the best, Sifeng!  You have to win!"

The two men bow to each other, an illusion of respect, but it's obvious the fight is going to be ugly.

"All the best, Sifeng!" Cheers Xuanji.  "Defeat him!"

Wu Tong immediately rushes at Sifeng with his sword, but Sifeng is smart.  He immediately blocks Wu Tong.  For all of Wu Tong's crass ruthlessness, Sifeng is able to combat it smoothly with bold and elegant grace.

With the energy of fire, Sifeng gets his sword to fly through the air, turn into several swords, and bust through Wu Tong's purple energy charged sword.  The two are now airborne, fighting in the sky.  Sifeng knocks Wu Tong back to the ground.  Wu Tong lands on his feet. Sifeng aims his multiple swords, and hurls them toward Wu Tong.

Wu Tong blocks, but the wall formed by his purple energy cracks.  Sifeng retracts his multiple swords, hurls them forward again, and knocks Wu Tong on his back.  His many swords retract into one, and with a flourish, he ends the fight with the sword behind his back.

"Great!" Cheers Little Six.

Wu Tong is mortified, and cannot accept defeat.  He gets back up, generating Purple Lightning Energy.

"It's a spell again!" states Little Six.

Wu Tong hurls the energy at Sifeng.

With a wave of his finger, flame energy is generated from Sect Leader Chu, and he hurls it in the path of the Purple Lighting, effectively destroying the spell.

Sect Leader Chu sharply stands up.  "I remember that I already said this the last time.  Spells are not allowed.  I can forgive you the first time, but a second time is unforgiveable."

"Wu Tong," says Dongfang, "you already broke the rule just now.  I think this round should go to Sifeng from Lize Palace."

Linglong and Xuanji giggle and smile.

Dianjing Sect Leader stands up.  "You useless thing!" He growls at Wu Tong.  "Good for nothing!  Are you that incapable?  If you can't come in first, you can leave us."

"Master, I still have other skills," Wu Tong pleads.  "Sect Leader Chu, let me compete again. Yu Sifeng did not defeat me.  I didn't lose."

Linglong smirks.  "You broke the rule and you still want to compete.  You have no shame.  Does Dianjing Valley Sect have no rules?"

Wu Tong looks at her.  "You..."

"Say no more!" says Dianjing Valley Sect Leader.  "Dianjing Valley Sect has lost in this round."

"Master!" Wu Tong begs.  He gets on his knees.  "Sect Leader Chu, let me compete again!"

Linglong takes it too far, and basically mocks Wu Tong.  "Tell me, do you know how to write the word 'dignity'?"

"Shut up!" shouts Wu Tong.

"Forget it," says Xuanji.  "He's so fierce, let him be."

"It's okay.  Let me," says Linglong.  "Even your master has already asked you to leave.  Why are you still here?"

"Since you talk so much," growls Wu Tong, "I'll shut you up forever."  He draws his sword and flies toward Linglong, who is able to avoid him.  He rushes at her again, and Xuanji steps between them, getting struck by the Purple Lightning Energy from his sword.

"Xuanji!" Linglong cries.

Wu Tong stabs Xuanji in the chest.  Linglong grabs Xuanji, but all three of them fall into the deep lake behind them.  Wu Tong repeatedly stabs Xuanji.

 

Xuanji's eyes open, and the God of War begins to awaken.  "Don't be arrogant.  Try dying."  Her inner voice deepens. But then her eyes close once more, and she sinks.

Sifeng dives in, swimming to her, and grabbing her before she falls to the bottom.

 

Wu Tong is running through the forest, being chased by the five sects.

"Stop right there!  Don't run!"

A disciple slices Wu Tong in the back.  He keeps fighting, killing many in the process.

"Chase after him, don't let him run away!"

Wu Tong gets up from the ground, running.

"Stop right there!"

 

Xuanji is unconscious in bed.  Aunt Hong is working her magic, emitting blue energy, while Sect Leader Chu, Hao Chen, Linglong, Little Six, and Sifeng support.

"How is she?" Sect Leader Chu asks.

"I've patched up her artery," says Aunt Hong.  "She should be fine now.  I'll perform acupuncture on her later."

"But Aunt Yinghong, why is she still unconscious?" Sobs Linglong.  "She was bleeding so much just now."

"Linglong, calm down first.  Master Yinghong has said that she'll be fine," says Little Six.  "Xuanji will definitely wake up."

"It's all because of Wu Tong," Linglong seethes. "We have to find Wu Tong to avenge her!"

"Enough," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Stop disturbing your aunt.  Let's go out first."

"Aunt Yinghong," says Linglong.

"She'll be fine," says Aunt Hong.

 

A disciple comes to Shaoyang Hall informing Sect Leader Chu that Wu Tong got away.  Sect Leader Chu orders all exits to be barricaded.

 

Linglong is in Xuanji's room, holding her hand, while Xuanji remains unconscious.  Little Six comes in with a large bowl of water to clean Xuanji.

Sifeng follows soon after.  He had just left a rather unpleasant lecture from the Deputy Chief who mocked him for withdrawing from the tournament to take care of Xuanji.

Sifeng walks up to her bed.  "Is Xuanji getting better?"

"Aunt Yinghong said that she'll wake up after resting for two days," says Linglong.

"Sifeng, take care of Xuanji for us first," says Little Six.  "We'll go and fetch the medicine for her."  He turns to Linglong and whispers, "Let's go."

Xuanji is stirring in her sleep.  She's getting increasingly agitated.

"Xuanji," says Sifeng.

Xuanji is having flashbacks of the wars she orchestrated as the God of War.  She covers her ears in her sleep, as the noise is intense.

"Xuanji!" says Sifeng.

"Who are you?" Xuanji asks in her dream.  Her agitation escalates.

Sifeng pulls out a green leaf, puts it between his lips, and plays it like a kazoo.

Xuanji's agitation melts away.

Sifeng puts down the leaf.  "Xuanji, when are you going to wake up?  I'm afraid that I'll have to go back to Lize Palace before I can bid my farewell to you."  Sifeng thinks to himself, Do you know that if you can wake up and smile, I'll be able to go through any hardships when I go back? He puts her hand under her blanket.

Hao Chen disrupts the moment by clearing his throat.  Sifeng stands up and bows.

"Hero Yu, you are so kind for coming here everyday to take care of Xuanji," says Aunt Hong.

Hao Chen is clearly jealous.  "Thank you for saving the Junior Sister of our sect twice.  I never thought that there was still a righteous disciple like you in Lize Palace."

"Xuanji is my friend.  I can't do much.  I just hope she can wake up soon."

"Don't worry," says Aunt Hong.  "She will."

Sifeng politely exits.

Aunt Hong transfers more blue energy into Xuanji's chest.  "This is weird.  She was so seriously wounded.  But she's almost healed, although it has just been a few days.  It's really surprising."

Hao Chen double checks by using energy to scan over her body.  "She has indeed recovered very quickly.  We've given her a lot of medicine and supplements from various sects for the past few days.  They must have helped her recover."

"Although she looks fine now," says Aunt Hong, "she has lost a lot of blood.  I think she'll be unconscious for awhile."

"As long as she is fine.  Junior Sister Xuanji is a very fortunate person."

 

Sifeng runs into Deputy Chief on his way back from Xuanji's room.  He is sharply instructed to pack his belongings and return to Lize Palace.

Deputy Chief is being super passive aggressive about the Hairpin Tournament, and Sifeng's decision not to participate.  Sifeng doesn't take the bait.  He is able to extend his stay at Shaoyang Sect, but it's not without a price.

A few days later, Sifeng is in Xuanji's room.  Xuanji remains unconscious.  "Xuanji, in the end, I still can't wait until you wake up.  I don't know if you can hear me.  But I still want to tell you that it was the happiest thing in my life to have been able to come out and meet you here.  I'll remember our four year promise.  No matter how hard it is, we'll meet again."

Linglong and Little Six enter the room.  

"Sifeng, are you leaving?" asks Little Six.

"The Hairpin Tournament has ended for a few days already.  I can't extend my stay anymore."

"Xuanji will be sad when she wakes up with you gone," says Linglong.

Sifeng pulls a bell out of his pouch.  "The sound of this bell can travel for miles.  Linglong, please give this to her for me.  She can contact me with it when she wakes up.  Don't forget about it."

"Don't worry, I'll tell her," says Linglong.  "Too bad we haven't caught Wu Tong yet, or else we could watch him get punished and uphold justice for Xuanji."

"I still think that this matter was not handled properly," says Sifeng.  "Wu Tong is just a normal disciple.  But now the five sects are working together to make him a wanted criminal."

"He should've thought of that when he hurt Xuanji," says Little Six.  "He has only himself to blame."

"I didn't mean that," says Sifeng.  "Wu Tong is very narrow minded, and he's an extremist.  It's not a good thing to corner him.  Or maybe I'm thinking too much.  Linglong and Minyan, please take care.  Farewell."

"You, too, my brother.  After Xuanji is awake, we'll go and visit you at Lize Palace," says Little Six.

 

The entire sect of Lize Palace is assembled in their main hall, ready to punish Sifeng for losing and breaking his mask.

"Bring Yu Sifeng, the disciple who broke the rule, in the hall."

Sifeng is walked up the stairs, handled by two men like he's committed a felony.  He's up kneeling on the stage for the entire sect to see.

"Yu Sifeng," says Deputy Chief, "as the head disciple of Lize Palace and the preferred successor of Palace Master, not only were you not strict with yourself, and weren't a role model to everyone, you even lost your mask outside, and showed your real face.  You broke the rule and put Lize Palace in danger.  Do you know what the punishment you deserve is?"

"The 13 Punishments," replies Sifeng.  "I accept the punishments with no objection."

"Take away his Head Disciple token, and send him to the 13 Punishments Tower of Oblivion at once!" says Deputy Chief.

"Wait," interjects Lize Palace Master.  He is sitting on his throne, contemplating.  "This is the first time he committed this mistake.  Besides, he didn't do it on purpose.  He had a solid reason.  This is not a suitable punishment.  When I was cultivating myself two years ago in seclusion, Sifeng attended to me dilligently.  He made great contributions.  I haven't even rewarded him yet.  He made a mistake this time, but his merit offsets his fault.  As for his reward, and punishment, they've cancelled each other out."

An elder bows.  "Palace Master, based on Lize Palace's centuries of rules, if a disciple loses his mask and shows his true face outside, he has to be sent into the 13 Punishments Tower of Oblivion.  Even though he made a contribution, you still have to discuss it first with two other Palace Lords and Four Elders.  How can you cancel out the punishment like that?"

Deputy Chief smiles, and gets really passive aggressive.  "Looks like Palace Master is being biased towards his own disciple."

Palace Master rises from his thone and walks toward Deputy Chief.  "What is it?" asks Palace Master.  "Are you saying that his merit for helping me out in cultivation is not enough to cancel out the punishments for losing his mask?"

"Losing his mask is not the only rule he broke," says Deputy Chief.  "He was very close with those disciples from Shaoyang Sect, and his relationship with Chu Xuanji is not just a simple friendship.  He even withdrew from the Hairpin Tournament for her and let Lize Palace lose the chance to become the head of the five sects."

"Where does this rumor come from?" asks Palace Master.  "Impossible.  That is not true."

"Profound sentiments of friendship," says Deputy Chief.  "I think he said it himself."  He turns to look at Sifeng.  "Yu Sifeng, do you still remember?"

"Yes, I do," says Sifeng.  "My feelings for Xuanji are indeed more than friendship."

Palace Master is horrified.

"I don't want to lie," Sifeng continues.  

Palace Master turns around quickly with a mass of golden energy in his hand.  "Yu Sifeng!"  With the energy, he binds Sifeng's arms, and lifts him in the air.  "I think you've been possessed by an outsider.  Say it.  Say that you are sorry.  You have been bewitched because you are young and ignorant.  Say it! Say that you're sorry!"

Sifeng continues to say nothing. Deputy Chief smirks.  Palace Master is furious.

"He won't say it," says Deputy Chief.  "Palace Master, a disciple of Lize Palace can never fall in love with a woman, and can never have a wife and family.  As the Head Disciple of Lize Palace, he lost to temptation and was influenced by an outside woman.  He destroyed his own future.  He has broken many rules.  His punishment cannot be cancelled."

"Palace Master," says an elder.  "He has to be sent to the 13 Punishments Tower Of Oblivion!"

"Shut up!" Shouts Palace Master.  He withdraws his golden energy, and Sifeng belly flops to the ground.

Sifeng pushes himself up.

"What kind of place is the 13 Punishments Tower of Oblivion?" asks Palace Master.  "Since Ancient times, how many have come out alive after going in?  Moreover, Sifeng is a rare talent that only appears once in a blue moon.  Don't you know that?!"  He yells to the elders.  "I still want to teach him well and let him bring pride to Lize Palace!  If he goes through the 13 Punishments and dies inside it, who will be able to lead Lize Palace in the future?"

Deputy Chief sighs.  "Palace Master, if he can't survive the 13 Punishments Tower of Oblivion, how can he be the rare talent of Lize Palace?  If you really want to be biased, we won't be able to enforce the rules of Lize Palace in the future."

"Shut up!" says Palace Master.

"Palace Master," says an elder, "the rules of Lize Palace are set by our great ancestors.  Palace Lords need to discuss with the elders before any decision is made.  Palace Master has no right to make the decision alone."

Palace Master sighs.  "I'm getting a headache.  Terrible headache.  I can't discuss this further today.  Take him into the prison first, and we'll discuss it on another day." He begins to walk away.

"Palace Master," says an elder.  "We have to make a decision eventually!"

"Palace Master, it'll be hard to convince everyone if we do this!"

"Take Yu Sifeng in to the prison first," says Deputy Chief.

Sifeng is walked out of the hall by two disciples.

"A decision has to be made eventually," says Deputy Chief.  "How long can he delay this?"

 

Sifeng is placed in a spacious prison cell, and he immediately notices someone in the cell right next to his. "Eldest Brother Liu," says Sifeng.

"Little Phoenix!" Eldest Brother Liu says in surprise.  "What happened?  You brat.  I was still hoping that you could bring some wine for me.  Now you are locked up by those two monsters, as well.  No.  You are the best disciple in Lize Palace.  Your eccentric master dotes on you the most, right?"

"It's not his fault," says Sifeng.  "I'm the one who took off my mask and broke the rules."

"Mask again," says Brother Liu.  "I can't believe Lize Palace.  Why are they always so violent about one mask?  They always say that only the disciples in the palace are your family.  Actually, this is just an inhumane place.  But you always followed the rules by the book, right?  Why did you take off your mask?  Did it fall off by itself, or did someone take it off?"

Sifeng doesn't answer.

"Something is wrong with you," says Brother Liu.  "Wait."  With a grand flourish of his arms, he removes the dividing bars between the cells.  He sits down by Sifeng.

"Eldest Brother Liu, this is..."

"Spell of Deceit.  I've been here for so many years.  Of course, I have to do something.  Let me tell you.  I've cleared a path through all the prison rooms here.  Look.  The prison of Lize Palace is built on the Kushui River, and the bottom of it is surrounded by a bitter water that we can't survive in.  It looks very well guarded, but it's not.  I've dug a secret tunnel that I can escape in.  Nothing is too hard for me."

"So, you always sneaked out to see your daughter?" asks Sifeng.  "You can sneak out, but you continue to be locked inside here.  It's for your daughter, right?"

Brother Liu looks uncomfortable.

"I heard that Old Palace Master once forced you to make a vow," Sifeng continues, "on your daughter's life.  That's why you have to be stuck here for a decade."

Brother Liu sighs.  "Yes.  If it wasn't for Yu'er...Don't talk about me.  Let's talk about you.  What happened to your mask?  Who took it off?  Was it a boy or a girl?" Sifeng avoids eye contact.  Brother Liu smiles knowingly.  "Is she beautiful?  You are getting shy.  Come.  Let's drink while we talk."  Brother Liu pours some wine.  "Here," he hands Sifeng a cup.  "Take it and drink it."

"Eldest Brother Liu, since I was young, whenever I saw you in prison, you would always trick others to drink in order to uncover their secrets."

Brother Liu smiles.

"That part of you has never changed," Sifeng continues.  "But you are the only one who will tell me about the outside world.  You always said that human feelings are troublesome and complicated.  But they are also the most beautiful.  I think...I understand now."

Brother Liu sighs.  "Little Phoenix, you always look so cold.  But I know you are the most open minded person.  You look a little bit like me in the past.  You met a girl you like, right?" Brother Liu grins.

Sifeng takes a drink, as he isn't comfortable answering the question.

"No," says Brother Liu, "if you had just taken off your mask, based on your position in the palace and how defensive your Master is, your Master would definitely do everything he could to cancel your punishment.  But it'll be troublesome if you had really admitted that you like someone.  I don't think you'll be able to cancel the 13 Punishments.  When that time comes, even your Master can't protect you.  You haven't admitted to these old fashioned men, right?"

"I can't lie to my master," says Sifeng.  "And I cannot deceive my own heart."

"Oh.  LIttle Phoenix, you are quite smart usually," says Brother Liu.  "Why are you acting dumb at a time like this?  Do you know what kind of place 13 Punishments Tower of Oblivion is?"

"I know.  I broke the rules.  I'm willing to be punished."

"What do you know?  Let me tell you.  In that 13 Punishments Tower of Oblivion, all 13 floors are full of vicious beasts, monsters, and evil spirits.  Devilish formations that erode the soul and heart.  The one who is punished has to climb from the bottom to the top to be able to survive it.  All these years, those who could survive it are few and far in between.  Are you courting death?"

"Even though it's rare, it's not impossible," says Sifeng.

"You are a fool.  You are betting with your life." Brother Liu nervously paces around the cell.  "This won't do.  How about this?  You should just escape from the secret tunnel that I dug out.  Don't ever come back to Lize Palace anymore."

Sifeng stands up.  "I can't leave.  If I leave, I'll become Lize Palace's traitor.  I'm indebted to my Master.  Even if I have broken the rules, I can't escape in fear of punishment and bring shame to him.  Moreover, if I just run away, am I going to hide and run forever?"

"Little Phoenix."

"Don't worry, Eldest Brother Liu.  Since there's a way out from the 13 Punishments, I'm going to escape using that way."

Brother Liu sighs and shakes his head.  "I really don't know what to say to you."

 

Xuanji is having flashbacks in her dream of the God of War chained to a podium in an arena among the clouds.  With her power, she is able to knock down the officers who are beating her.

Then she's her normal self, Xuanji, falling from the black clouds.

Little Six and Linglong are watching her agitated sleeping.

"Linglong, don't worry, Xuanji will be fine." Says Little Six.

"But she has been unconscious for so many days.  How can I not worry?  What should we do now?"

Xuanji begins to stir, and her eyes open.  "I'm so hungry," she says.  She sits straight up.

Linglong and Little Six rush to her.

"Xuanji, you are awake!" exclaims Linglong.  "Little Six, keep an eye on her.  I'll call for someone."

"Okay," says Little Six.  "Xuanji."

"Sixth Senior Brother."

"You are finally awake.  You scared us."

Xuanji smiles.  "Thank you, Sixth Senior Brother."

"What did you say?" asks Little Six.

"Aren't you the one who pulled me out of the water that day?  I was so scared when I fell that day.  I thought I was going to die.  Luckily, you pulled me out.  Thank you."

"No, it wasn't like that," Little Six clarifies.  "That day..."

Before he can finish, Sect Leader Chu enters the room, followed by Aunt Hong and Linglong.  Little Six bows.  Hao Chen arrives a few seconds later.

Xuanji greets them all.

Aunt Hong emits some green energy and uses it to scan Xuanji's body.  Aunt Hong smiles.  "Xuanji has recovered.  No need to worry now."

"See? I knew that she would be fine," says Little Six.

"It's good that she has recovered," Sect Leader Chu agrees.  "I really can't believe you!  You don't practice hard usually. That's why you couldn't react in time!  You made us all worry!"

"I'm sorry, father," says Xuanji.

"Father," says Linglong, "Xuanji did it to save me.  If you want to scold someone, scold me."

"Sect Leader Chu," says Hao Chen, "Xuanji was very courageous this time.  She stepped forward bravely when danger hit.  You should compliment her.  Junior Sister Xuanji, how's your wound?  Do you feel uncomfortable?"

Xuanji shakes her head.

"You've recovered well," says Hao Chen, "but your wound is quite deep.  Weren't you afraid when the sword flew towards you?"

"I didn't think that much," says Xuanji.  "I just didn't want Linglong to get hurt."

"Dummy, I'm tougher than you," says Linglong.  "A sword wound is nothing.  Don't do this again in the future.  It's dangerous."

"Enough.  Say no more.  Recuperate well," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Take care of her, both of you."  He looks at Hao Chen and Aunt Hong.  "We'll be leaving first."

"Where is Sifeng, why isn't he here?" Xuanji asks Linglong after the Elders left.

"You've been unconscious for many days," explains Linglong.  "The Hairpin Tournament has already ended."

"I was unconscious for so long?  I thought it was just a dream.  So, Sifeng has left?"

"Yes," says Linglong.

"He came here everyday to take care of you, but you didn't wake up," says Little Six.  "In the end, he couldn't drag it out any longer.  So, he went back to Lize Palace."

"I'm too useless," says Xuanji.  "I was unconscious for so long just because of a sword wound.  I couldn't even bid farewell to him."

"It's alright, we can still see him, right?"  asks Linglong.

 

Xuanji meets up with Sect Leader Chu and Hao Chen in the Main Hall.  "Father, are you looking for me?  Senior Brother Hao Chen."  She bows.  She wonders what is going on.  "Did I cause trouble again?"

Hao Chen laughs.  "Xuanji, do you know that everyone was very worried about you when you were wounded?"

Xuanji nods.  "It's my fault for being too useless.  I made everyone worry about me."

"Then, do you want to improve yourself so that they won't have to worry about you again?" Asks Hao Chen.

"Of course," says Xuanji.  "I want to become more powerful.  Then, I'll be able to protect the important people around me."

Hao Chen looks at Sect Leader Chu, then back at Xuanji.  "Junior Sister Xuanji, do you want to come to Xuyang Peak to train together with me?"

"Xuyang Peak?"

"Yes," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Uncle Master Heng Yang is willing to take you as his disciple.  He's willing to train you personally."

"Uncle Master Heng Yang?" Xuanji is incredulous.  "I...I'm so stupid.  But he still wants to take me as his disciple.  Has he become silly from age?"

"Don't be mannerless!" Sect Leader Chu says sharply.  "It's your blessing that Uncle Master Heng Yang is willing to accept you as his disciple."

"I know.  That's why I said that he should accept an extraordinary disciple like Senior Brother Hao Chen.  Not a dummy like me."

"How do you know that you are not extraordinary?" asks Hao Chen.  "You are different from others.  Your Six senses are undeveloped.  Actually, that's your inborn talent, too.  It's something that others don't have."

"Having no six senses...is a good thing?"

"Since God has already chosen a path for you, no need to doubt yourself.  You just need to find the right way and train hard.  I believe that you'll be able to achieve something great."

Sifeng said the same thing, too, thinks Xuanji.  Can I really become someone who's more powerful? "Senior Brother, I'm willing to go to Xuyang Peak to train together with you," says Xuanji.

 

Sifeng  and Brother Liu are in their cells.  Sifeng is sitting at his table, Brother Liu is passed out.  Sifeng carefully pulls out his bell, and with his finger, he emits gold energy.  He touches the bell with it.  He rings the bell.  No answer.  "Xuanji," he talks into the bell.  "Xuanji."

Xuanji is not in her room.  Instead, Linglong picks up the bell.  "Sifeng, I am Linglong."

"Linglong, how is Xuanji now?"

"I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you.  Xuanji is fine now, but she was just summoned by my father.  I'll tell you when she comes back, okay?"

"Good," says Sifeng.  "Linglong, tell Xuanji that after she is done, to send me a message.  I"ll wait for her."

"Don't worry," says Linglong.

Sifeng breathes a sigh of relief.

 

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